Optical scan module with integral collection lens mount

Abstract

A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A scanning system comprising 
       a housing;  
       a light source. disposed in the housing, for generating an optical beam along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned;  
       a detector for detecting light reflected off the object;  
       a one-piece plastic molded lens assembly including a collection lens portion and a bracket portion, the bracket portion being mounted in the housing and the collection lens portion collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it onto the detector;  
       a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens portion.  
     
     
       2. A scanning system according to claim  1  wherein the collection lens portion comprises a notch in one side thereof, and wherein the light source comprises a laser diode module disposed in the notch. 
     
     
       3. A scanning system according to claim  1  wherein the light source is arranged with an axis which is parallel to an axis of the collection lens portion. 
     
     
       4. A scanning system according to claim  1  wherein the light source is arranged with an axis which is substantially parallel +/−5° to an axis of the collection lens portion. 
     
     
       5. A scanning system according to claim  1  wherein the light source is arranged with an axis which is generally parallel to an axis of the collection lens portion. 
     
     
       6. A scanning system according to claim  5  wherein the axis of the collection lens portion is laterally offset from the outgoing optical path of the optical beam. 
     
     
       7. A scanning system according to claim  6  further comprising means for adjusting an amount of lateral offset of the axis of the collection lens portion relative to the outgoing optical path of the optical beam. 
     
     
       8. A scanning system according to claim  1  further comprising a fold mirror disposed behind the collection lens portion for reflecting the light being focused by the collection lens portion onto the detector. 
     
     
       9. A scan module comprising 
       a housing;  
       a light source disposed in the housing for generating an optical beam along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned;  
       a detector for detecting light reflected off the object;  
       a one-piece plastic molded lens assembly including a collection lens portion and a bracket portion, the bracket portion being mounted in the housing and the collection lens portion collecting the light reflected and/or scattered off the object and focusing it onto the detector;  
       a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or scattered off the object toward the collection lens portion.  
     
     
       10. A scan module according to claim  9  wherein the collection lens portion comprises a notch in one side thereof, and wherein the light source comprises a laser diode module disposed in the notch. 
     
     
       11. A scan module according to claim  10  further comprising 
       a printed circuit board mounted on the housing, wherein the notch in the collection lens portion is disposed proximate the printed circuit board.  
     
     
       12. A scan module according to claim  11  wherein the light source comprises a laser diode module. 
     
     
       13. A scan module according to claim  9  further comprising 
       a printed circuit board mounted on the housing, wherein the detector is mounted on the printed circuit board.  
     
     
       14. A scan module according to claim  13  wherein the light source is mounted proximate the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       15. A scan module according to claim  13  wherein the scanning mirror assembly includes a magnetic dither drive, wherein the scan module further comprising a feedback sensor mounted on the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       16. A scan module according to claim  13  wherein the scanning mirror assembly comprises a magnetic dither drive having a drive coil mounted on the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       17. A scan module according to claim  9  wherein the collection lens portion is positioned with a lens axis laterally offset from the outgoing optical path of the optical beam. 
     
     
       18. A scan module according to claim  17  further comprising means for adjusting an amount of lateral offset of the axis of the collection lens portion relative to the outgoing optical path of the optical beam. 
     
     
       19. A scan module comprising 
       a housing;  
       a light source, disposed in the housing, for generating an optical beam along an outgoing optical path toward an object to be scanned;  
       a detector for detecting light reflected off the object;  
       a collection lens assembly comprising a collection lens portion integrally-molded within a support bracket portion, the support bracket portion being mounted in a pre-aligned location within the housing and the collection lens portion collecting the light reflected and/or refracted off the object and focusing it onto the detector.  
     
     
       20. A scan module according to claim  19  further comprising 
       a scanning mirror assembly disposed in the outgoing optical path for scanning the optical beam for producing at least one scan line toward the object and for reflecting light reflected and/or refracted off the object toward the collection lens portion.  
     
     
       21. A scan module according to claim  19  further comprising 
       a printed circuit board mounted on the housing, wherein the detector is mounted on the printed circuit board.